Into The Sea

Penglai Island has always been mysterious, hidden in the middle of Eastern Sea. Aside from the disciples on the island, outsiders can hardly find a way in or out.

As they stood on the shore, setting off the signaling talisman and waiting for someone from the island to receive them, Yu Shanye kept rambling, “Before the incident, Penglai Island was even more famous than the three great immortal sects. Maybe it’s because of the abundant spiritual energy here, the disciples of Penglai Island always had higher cultivation levels than other cultivators of the same age. Back then, everyone aspired to join Penglai Island, and countless hopefuls sought to become disciples…”

Ji Lingyue added, “It’s a pity that such a prosperous immortal sect was almost destroyed by demons overnight.”

Lan Wu shot her a sideways glance. She often felt Ji Lingyue spoke with an underlying accusation. While it was true that demons were responsible for the attack, Lan Wu couldn’t bring herself to argue. She held no particular sense of collective honor for her kind. “Mm,” she simply hummed in acknowledgement, her gaze drifting southwards.

South of the Eastern Sea lies the Southern Sea, and deep within it is the Kunlun Sea. Calculating based on a cultivator’s speed of a thousand miles per day, it didn’t seem that far.

As she was lost in thought, Yu Shanye exclaimed, “They’re coming!”

Lan Wu instinctively turned her head and saw a small boat emerge from the misty sea, slowly approaching them. On the boat stood a young man in blue robes, handsome with refined features. As the boat reached the shore, he cupped his hands, bowed and said: “I am Chu Ji, a disciple of Penglai Island, I’m here to welcome three fellow cultivators.”

Ji Lingyue nodded calmly, “Thank you.”

She was the first to step onto the boat, followed by the two who hadn’t seen much of the world, looking around in awe.

Chu Ji sized up the three of them and determined that Ji Lingyue was the leader. He addressed her, “Elder Ye has already informed the Island Master about why you’re here. Unfortunately, the Yunzhi Tree hasn’t borne fruit yet, so you’ll need to stay on the island for a few more days.”

“Sorry to trouble you.”

As the two exchanged pleasantries, Lan Wu, with nothing to do, began to look around. The shore had vanished from sight, enveloped in a thick mist, and the waves were silent. This part of the sea seemed to be completely shrouded in a barrier. Ordinary fishermen who accidentally entered the fog would find themselves back where they started, and even cultivators, without guidance, would get lost in the mist.

She couldn’t help but wonder how the group of demons who had attacked Penglai Island had managed to break through.

However, asking would only invite a lecture from Ji Lingyue about the evilness of demons. To avoid unnecessary trouble, she kept her mouth shut and stayed silent.

After an unknown amount of time, the mist ahead gradually dissipated, revealing an island in the distance. Sunlight broke through the mist, bathing them in its warmth.

A refreshing sea breeze carried the fragrance of flowers from the island. From time to time, rare and exotic beasts lounged and rolled on the shore, resting lazily. A flock of azure birds let out clear cries, flying through swirling clouds, skimming past towering golden rooftops that seemed to touch the sky, and perching on spiritual trees covering the mountains.

The closer they got, the more they could feel the island’s towering presence. Lan Wu had to tilt her head back, shading her eyes with her hand as she squinted at the celestial palaces seemingly touching the clouds.

The island resembled the legendary Mount Buzhou, soaring alone from the Eastern Sea like a pillar connecting the ocean depths to the heavens above.

Yu Shanye couldn’t help but sigh, “No wonder people ask where Penglai is; it truly is a paradise on earth.”

Chu Ji shook his head, a look of melancholy on his face. “You’re too kind. Unfortunately, Penglai used to be even more magnificent than it is now.”

As they spoke, the small boat docked at the pier. Chu Ji disembarked and led the three of them up the mountain path. “The Yunzhi Tree should bear fruit in about half a month. During this time, please feel free to explore the island. You are honored guests, and the disciples of Penglai Island will treat you with courtesy.”

Along the way, they encountered several disciples in blue robes. Recognizing the Haochen Mountain attire of the three, the disciples politely stopped to greet them, addressing Chu Ji as “Young Island Master.”

Noticing the three visitors’ surprised expressions, Chu Ji smiled a little sheepishly and said, “To be honest, the current Island Master of Penglai Island is my father, Chu Jiangchi.”

Yu Shanye exclaimed in surprise and quickly said, “So you’re the Young Island Master! Pleased to meet you!”

Lan Wu secretly stepped on her foot and whispered, “Could you at least try to act a little more dignified?”

“You don’t understand, this is called being polite.” Yu Shanye retorted, glaring at her. “Now let go of my foot.”

As the two whispered amongst themselves, Ji Lingyue walked ahead, engaging Chu Ji in conversation. “So, Young Island Master, where are you taking us now?”

Chu Ji replied, “I’m taking you to meet my father. You are honored guests and should not be neglected.”

Yu Shanye gasped again. “But we’ve been traveling for days and are hardly presentable. Wouldn’t it be disrespectful to meet the Island Master looking like this?”

Chu Ji laughed softly. “Don’t worry. My father is a kind man who enjoys interacting with the younger generation. You don’t need to be overly formal.”

Just then, a deep, warm voice called out, “Ji’er.”

Chu Ji turned around, his face lighting up with joy. “Father!”

Everyone looked up to see a tall, imposing man standing on the steps ahead. He had a dignified and righteous air about him, looking more like a martial artist from the mortal realm than a typical elder of an immortal sect.

Ji Lingyue was the first to react, cupping her hands. “Greetings, Island Master.”

Lan Wu followed suit a beat later. “Greetings, Island Master.”

“There’s no need for formalities,” Chu Jiangchi said with a smile, descending the steps. “I heard that this year’s messengers are the prized disciples of Elder Ye and Elder Qin. How could I not come personally to welcome you?”

His eyes were full of warmth. Just as he was about to continue, his gaze swept over a girl standing at the back, and he suddenly paused.

Ji Lingyue, noticing his unusual reaction, frowned and looked back.

Lan Wu met her gaze, blinking in confusion.

She mouthed silently, “What’s wrong?”

Ji Lingyue shook her head suspiciously and turned back, only to see Chu Jiangchi’s expression had returned to normal, as if his momentary lapse had been a figment of her imagination.

Chu Jiangchi asked gently. “May I ask which young friend is in need of the Yunzhi Fruit?”

“That would be me,” Lan Wu replied politely “I know the Yunzhi Fruit is incredibly precious. I am eternally grateful that the Island Master is willing to grant it to me.”

“Nonsense,” Chu Jiangchi said warmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You seem very familiar, young friend. Where are you from, and if you don’t mind my asking, how old are you?”

Lan Wu hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “I… I am from the Southern Region, and I am twenty-four.”

“Is that so…”

He seemed to have more questions, but Ji Lingyue stepped forward, subtly shielding Lan Wu behind her. “Island Master,” she interjected, “we have also brought this year’s medicine.”

She then gestured to Yu Shanye. “The medicine?”

“Oh, right!” Yu Shanye quickly recovered, retrieving a square box from her storage bag and handing it to Chu Jiangchi. “This year’s Snow Ginseng and Linglong Heart. Master said that following the previous prescription for three courses should alleviate the symptoms.”

Chu Jiangchi was momentarily taken aback, then seemed to realize and said, “Thank you, young friends.”

After bidding farewell to Chu Jiangchi, they were escorted by Chu Ji to their temporary residence for the next few days. Ji Lingyue thanked him, and after he left, she closed the door and frowned. “Have you met the Island Master before?”

Lan Wu was puzzled. “No? I’ve never even left home before this.”

“Then could your parents know him?”

“Impossible.” Lan Wu shook her head. “My parents rarely leave home either.”

Yu Shanye, listening in confusion, couldn’t help but interject, “Why are you so nervous? Is there a problem?”

Ji Lingyue hesitated. “I don’t know, it’s just… something feels off.”

“What could be off?” Yu Shanye plopped onto the bed with a carefree “Ha!” “This is Penglai, an immortal sect that’s stood for hundreds of years. Don’t overthink it.”

Ji Lingyue, still unconvinced, muttered, “But he said Lan Wu looked familiar…”

“So what?” Yu Shanye said dismissively. “Maybe Lan Wu just has a common face.”

Ji Lingyue stared at her, speechless.

She couldn’t help but give Yu Shanye a sideways glance. Then she noticed there were two beds in the room: a large one that could accommodate two people and a small one that was only big enough for one. At this moment, Yu Shanye was comfortably lying on one side of the large bed.

Lan Wu, meanwhile, was lifting her robes and climbing onto the smaller one.

Ji Lingyue’s face darkened. She strode over and grabbed Lan Wu by the collar. “You’re going to sleep here?”

Caught off guard, Lan Wu looked like a startled cat, her eyes wide with alarm. “C-can’t I? Or… do you want to sleep with Shanye?”

Ji Lingyue was silent for a moment, then closed her eyes in exasperation. “Yu Shanye, you sleep on the small bed.”

Yu Shanye protested, “Why shou—ow!”

Ji Lingyue didn’t bother with more words. She used a levitation spell to lift Yu Shanye and place her on the small bed. “Because my cultivation level is higher than yours.”

Yu Shanye struggled to sit up, grumbling, “You! You’re bullying your fellow disciple!”

Ji Lingyue smoothed her robes and sat down with an air of composure. “And what are you going to do about it?”

Yu Shanye paused, recalling how over the years, fellow disciple Qing Zibai had been beaten up by Ji Lingyue. Swallowing her grievances, she said meekly, “Haha, of course not! How could I dare?”